NEW YORK (AP) — No other animal can throw as hard and accurately as a human can, and now scientists say they think that ability first evolved in our ancestors nearly 2 million years ago.

Researchers at George Washington University and Harvard propose that throwing helped Homo erectus hunt by allowing him to toss weapons likes rocks and wooden spears.

The scientists say erectus is the earliest ancestor to show a combination of three anatomical features that are needed for hard and accurate throwing. They studied the anatomy of throwing by analyzing college baseball players.

Their study was published Wednesday by the journal Nature. It’s being met with some skepticism from other experts. One said she didn’t think the shoulder of Homo erectus could produce very good throwing.

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